Coming events

DONATIONS FOR ORANGE BRIDGES
Donations of cowboy clothing items, and western-themed and fall decorations are needed for Orange Bridges Oct. 29 Harvest Hoedown. Orange Bridges is a day support program for intellectually disabled adults. Contact Lorraine Sheffield or Clara Bright, 672 - 4355.

FOOD BANK DRIVE
Support Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors’ sixth annial Cereal Drive to benefit local food banks. Help meet the goal of 5,000 cereal boxes by dropping off your cereal box donations by Oct. 29 at the Locust Grove offices of Coldwell Banker Elite, Weichert Realtors and Century 21 Realty One. Local food banks need our help. This year’s need has increased by 30 percent.

CHILD SAFETY FAIR
The Orange County Office on Youth and Orange Downtown Alliance will sponsor a child safety fair with the Downtown Orange Fall Celebration Oct. 30. Each year, the event draws a crowd of close to 1,500 children. The child safety fair will take place on Short Street from 3 - 5 p.m. in conjunction with activities, merchants and vendors in Taylor Park. Vendors who are interested in participating should complete a registration form and return it to the Office on Youth by Oct. 15.

HAUNTED FARM
A haunted farm, haunted hayride and haunted woods will be Oct. 30 - 31 at 27496 Tatum Road, Unionville. Family fun, rides, costumes, candy, and ghostly entertainment, 6 - 10:30 p.m.; haunted hayride and woods, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. Parents must accompany children. Volunteers needed. Rain date: Nov. 6 - 7. Donations benefit Grace Oughton Cancer Foundation. Call 854 - 4541 or 907 - 0662.

SKEET SHOOT
A skeet shoot will be Nov. 1, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., $4 per round of skeet. Proceeds benefit youth firearm safety programs, Skeet shoot fundraiser will be held on the first Sunday of the month starting at 9 a.m. Call John Dodson, (540) 543 - 2070 for directions and information.

GARVIS HUFF AWARDS
The annual Garvis Huff Memorial Outstanding Youth/Youth Advocate Award Ceremony, sponsored by the Orange County Youth Commission, the Orange County Office on Youth, will be Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. in the OCHS auditorium.  Nominate students in grades six - 12 who are outstanding because of community service beyond academics and sports, and/or an adult who has made a commitment to improving the lives of youth in Orange County contact the Office on Youth, 672 - 5484.

REPUBLICAN ELECTION NIGHT PARTY
Everyone is invited to the Republican Victory Office for refreshments and watch as election results are reported Nov. 3, beginning at 6 p.m. The office is located at 329 Moore Street in Orange, just across from Sheetz. Cast your vote for the Republican candidates: Bob McDonnell for Governor, Bill Bolling for Lt. Governor, Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General and Delegate Ed Scott. Volunteers are needed to work a two-hour shift at all precincts. Please call 972-8117 if you can help. 

HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE
A free hunter education course will be Nov. 3 and Nov. 5, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Nov. 7, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Preregistration is required. 15-hour course includes seven hours classroom instruction, four hours field demos and exercises and four house rifle live fire instruction. To register, or for information call John Dodson, (540) 548 - 2070.

YOUNG AT HEART CLUB
Nov. 4, bingo and birthday cake. The Young at Heart Club meets every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at East Orange Ruritan Building at the intersection of Route 20 and 522. The club, which takes local trips and performs community service, is open to anyone.  For more information call Alice Lumsden 672-2841; Hank Lewis 972-0359 or Paul Tobin at 972-6256.

PARENTING CLASSES
The Parenting Cooperative Program, a non-profit community Partner with Piedmont United Way, Healthy Culpeper, and Culpeper Human Services, offers parents and caregivers “Positive Parenting” - research-based methods and techniques, proven to stimulate healthy growth and development in youth, ages 4 - 12. Class Location: Reformation Lutheran Church, Culpeper. Dates: Nov. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, and 21. Thursdays 6 -8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Cost: $90. For information and to register, call (540) 522-6112.

OCHS FIELD HOCKEY ALUM
Orange County High School varsity field hockey alumni will have their second annual game and potluck dinner Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. Contact Lucy Coleman, 661 - 4300, ext. 1544 or .

BERLIN WALL ANNIVERSARY
The Germanna Foundation invites the public to attend a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall Nov. 7 2 - 4 p.m. at the Germanna Visitor Center. Ceremonial cake cutting at 2:30 p.m. and sharing of personal memories of the Wall and its impact on families during that time. Call the Germanna Foundation office at (540) 423-1700 or email if you would like to share a memory but are not able to attend. Veterans of the military are especially welcome.

RVFD CHILI COOK-OFF
The Rapidan Firemen’s chili cook-off is Nov. 8, 2 - 6 p.m. at the Rapidan Volunteer Fire Department. $200 for first place, $50 for runner-up, $25 for crowd favorite. Admission is $5/adults, children under 12 free. Booth fees are $15/outside booth (no electric), or $25/inside booth (Electric, no grills). Vote for Crowd Favorite for 25 cents. Hamburgers, hot dogs and barbecue and items from Auxiliary bake sale available. Call Cary Stanley, 672 - 4658.

DEER PROCESSING CLASS
An advanced hunter education class in taking care of your deer from field to freezer will be Nov. 8 beginning at 10 a.m. Learn to cut and wrap meat, enjoy deer meat lunch, get free recipes. Sponsored by Cedar Mountain Youths. To register, or for information call John Dodson, (540) 548 - 2070.

CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE
Christmas assistance applications will be available at Orange County Social Services, 146 N. Madison Rd., Suite 201. The application can also be mailed if requested by Nov. 9 by calling 672-1155. Anyone interested in adopting a family for Christmas should contact Kathleen Church at 672-1155 before Nov. 25. We have many families who need special help.

ORANGE AARP
The Orange Chapter 5373 of AARP will meet Nov. 9 for their monthly meeting, at the Orange County rescue squad building at 1 p.m. Dee Marshall of Marshall Farms will be the speaker. This special meting we will celebrate our sixth year in Orange. Come celebrate with us and learn all about what AARP can do for you. AARP is open to all persons over the age of 50. For more information, call Dottie Wampler, 672-4335.

RRCSB-AAA MEETING
The Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board and Area Agency on Aging (RRCSB-AAA) will hold its regularly scheduled board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m., at its office at 15361 Bradford Road, Culpeper. Individuals with disabilities who require special assistance to attend and participate in this meeting should contact Kimberley Martin at (540) 825-3100, ext. 3146 or TTY (540) 825-7391.

GCC BUSINESS SEMINAR
Germanna Community College and the Virginia Dept. of Business Assistance will host a business sales growth Seminar Nov. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper. The seminar is free; advance registration is requested at http://www.vastartup.org. There will be interactive discussions with experts and information for business owners and managers.

ST. ISIDORE MAAC
The St. Isidore Mature Adult Activity Club will meet in the church’s community room Nov.10, from 10 a.m. - 12 noon. There will be social time, and then Tai- Chi stretching exercises. The speaker will be Richard F. Alderidge of Wealth Preservers, Inc. The topic is “Estate and Year End Financial Planning.“ Call Ray or Barbara Lonick 672-4131,  . St. Isidore the Farmer is on Rt 15 South at the Lee Industrial Park.

BENEFIT TEA PARTY
Local feline rescue group Cause 4 Paws will sponsor tea party and raffle drawing at Elmwood at Sparks Nov. 11 at 1:30 p.m. Finger sandwiches, quiche, three different desserts, coffee, tea, and soda for $22 per person.  Reservations must be made in advance, seating is limited.  Make checks payable to: Cause 4 Paws, P.O. Box 301, Locust Grove, VA 22508. Call 972-7902. 

13th VA UDC MEETING
The 13th Virginia Regiment Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will meet Nov. 11 at 10 a.m., at Mario’s for the regular monthly meeting.

GMS OPEN HOUSE
Grymes Memorial School will host an open house Thursday, Nov. 12, 9 - 11 a.m. Join us for coffee and treats in the school library, meet teachers and parents, tour the school and visit classrooms. Begin to discover the secret of this very unique educational environment! Call 672-1010 or visit us the newly updated website: http://www.grymesschool.org

VFW POST 2217 MEETING
The Orange VFW Post #2217 regular meeting will be Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at the post home on Brick Church Road. All members, supper before meeting. Contact 661 - 7324 for information.

BELMONT ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR
The 15th annual Belmont Arts and Crafts Fair is Nov. 14, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Belmont Community Center, 7124 Belmont Road, Spotsylvania. The fair features original artwork by local artists, painted glass, handmade jewelry, silk flower arrangements, wreaths, needlework, children’s books, holiday items and gifts, stained glass, ironwork, painted gourds, woodcrafts, gifts baskets and holiday items. Proceeds benefit fire, EMS and scholarships. Breakfast and lunch available. Raffle and door prizes. Call (540) 894-4748 or email .

MONTE CARLO NIGHT
The LOW Lioness Club presents Monte Carlo Night, Saturday, Nov. 14, at the LOW Clubhouse great hall from 7 to 10 p.m. Enjoy a fun evening of Blackjack, Craps, Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em or Roulette. There will be light snacks, a cash bar, 50/50 drawings and prize baskets. Tickets are $25 and $30 at the door. Proceeds go to Lioness Benevolence Fund. Call Linda, 972 -7713; or Ellen, 972-9595 for tickets or further information.

ORANGE COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT
The Orange Community Band will present an autumn concert Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Orange County High School.  The evening will be filled with a colorful musical tapestry for your listening pleasure. Selections will include familiar music from Sousa to Puccini; and ranging from American Dixieland and Shaker themes, to the march and dance rhythms of Bizet’s “Farandole.” Contact Tom Merlo, 672 - 2552 or visit http://www.orangechorusandband.com
BENEFIT BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL
The public is invited to enjoy an evening of bluegrass and gospel music Friday, Nov. 20 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the clubhouse next to Waugh’s off Route 20. Come for the fun and music or bring your Bluegrass Instruments and play. Open to all individuals and groups. Call Pete (854-7468) to schedule your group to play. Contributions go to area children groups. Sponsored by Waugh Enterprises.

ORANGE NAACP
The NAACP Orange Branch will have its annual Christmas program on Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. at Emanuel Baptist Church, Orange. Presentations will be made by area youths. Refreshments served after the program.

REPUBLICAN YARD SIGNS
The Republican Victory Office, 329 Moore Street in Orange, is offering yard signs for the Republican candidates Bob McDonnell for Governor, Bill Bolling for Lt. Governor, Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General and Delegate Ed Scott. Call (972) 8117 for yard signs or for more information. The office is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 661-1068 to volunteer.